Exercise Assembly

ABSTRACT

An exercise assembly includes a treadmill that has a belt which can be walked upon. The belt has a braking mechanism and the braking mechanism inhibits the belt from being moved thereby presenting resistance to a user attempting to walk on the belt. A set of pull bars is coupled to and extends upwardly from the treadmill for simulating pulling a heavy object. A set of push bars is coupled to and extends upwardly from the treadmill to simulate pushing a heavy object. A spool is rotatably integrated into the treadmill and the spool is in mechanical communication with the braking mechanism such that the spool resists being rotated. A rope is wrapped around the spool and the rope resists being pulled on by the user when the user walks on the treadmill for simulating pulling a heavy object with the rope.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to exercise devices and more particularly pertains to a new exercise device for training pushing and pulling exercises. The device includes a treadmill with a braking system and a spool which is in communication with the braking system. Additionally, pull bars and push bars are positioned on the treadmill for a user to either pull against or push against for simulating pulling or pushing an object. A rope is wrapped around the spool for training pulling a heavy object with a rope.

(2) Description of Related Art including Information Disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98.

The prior art relates to exercise devices including a variety of rope climbing machines that include a rope which is routed through a series of pulleys and which resists being pulled for training rope climbing exercises. Additionally, the prior art discloses a variety of tug-of-war training devices that include a rope with can be pulled and which is subjected to mechanical resistance for training tug-of-war. The prior art discloses a variety of treadmill devices for practicing running or walking. The prior art discloses a tug-of-war device that includes a treadmill and a rope that is fixedly attached to the treadmill for practicing tug-of-war.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a treadmill that has a belt which can be walked upon. The belt has a braking mechanism and the braking mechanism inhibits the belt from being moved thereby presenting resistance to a user attempting to walk on the belt. A set of pull bars is coupled to and extends upwardly from the treadmill for simulating pulling a heavy object. A set of push bars is coupled to and extends upwardly from the treadmill to simulate pushing a heavy object. A spool is rotatably integrated into the treadmill and the spool is in mechanical communication with the braking mechanism such that the spool resists being rotated. A rope is wrapped around the spool and the rope resists being pulled on by the user when the user walks on the treadmill for simulating pulling a heavy object with the rope.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a right side phantom view of an exercise assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a back view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a front phantom view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, a new exercise device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 , the exercise assembly 10 generally comprises a treadmill 12 that has a belt 14 that can be walked upon. The belt 14 has a braking mechanism 16 and the braking mechanism 16 inhibits the belt 14 from being moved. In this way the belt 14 can present resistance to a user attempting to walk on the belt 14. The treadmill 12 includes a bed 18, and the bed 18 has a first lateral side 20, a second lateral side 22, a front side 24 and a back side 26. The treadmill 12 includes a pair of rollers 28, and each of the rollers 28 is rotatably integrated into the treadmill 12. Each of the rollers 28 extends between the first lateral side 20 and the second lateral side 22, and each of the rollers 28 is positioned adjacent to a respective one of the front side 24 and the back side 26.

The belt 14 extends around each of the rollers 28 and the braking mechanism 16 is positioned around a respective one of the rollers 28. The braking mechanism 16 engages the respective roller 28 between a minimum level of friction and a maximum level of friction. In this way the braking mechanism 16 can adjust the level of resistance for the user. The braking mechanism 16 may comprise an electro-mechanical caliper that engages a disk, a drum brake or any other type of adjustable, friction based braking mechanism that can be electronically controlled.

A set of pull bars 30 is each coupled to and extends upwardly from the treadmill 12 such that each of the pull bars 30 can be gripped by the user when the user is walking on the treadmill 12. Each of the pull bars 30 is positioned downstream of the direction of travel of the belt 14. In this way the set of pull bars 30 can be pulled on by the user when the user is walking on the belt 14 for simulating pulling a heavy object. The set of pull bars 30 is positioned adjacent to the back side 26 of the bed 18 and the set of pull bars 30 includes a pair of vertical bars 32 each extending upwardly from a respective one of the first lateral side 20 and the second lateral side 22 of the bed 18. Additionally, the set of pull bars 30 includes a plurality of horizontal bars 34 each extending between the vertical bars 32 such that the horizontal bars 34 can be gripped by the user. The set of pull bars 30 includes a pair of spindles 36 each extending between the horizontal bars 34 and each of the spindles 36 can be gripped by the user.

A set of push bars 38 is provided and each of the push bars 38 is coupled to and extends upwardly from the treadmill 12 such that each of the push bars 38 can be gripped by the user when the user is walking on the treadmill 12. Moreover, each of the push bars 38 is positioned upstream of the direction of travel of the belt 14. In this way the user can push on the push bars 38 when the user is walking on the belt 14 for simulating pushing a heavy object. The set of push bars 38 is positioned between the set of pull bars 30 and the front end of the bed 18.

The set of push bars 38 includes a pair of vertical bars 40 each extending upwardly from a respective one of the first lateral side 20 and the second lateral side 22 of the bed 18. The set of push bars 38 includes a plurality of horizontal bars 42 each extending between the vertical bars 40 of the push bars 38. Additionally, the horizontal bars 42 of the push bars 38 can be gripped by the user. The set of push bars 38 includes a pair of spindles 44 each extending between the horizontal bars 42 of the push bars 38 and each of the spindles 44 of the push bars 38 can be gripped by the user.

A spool 46 is rotatably integrated into the treadmill 12 and the spool 46 is in mechanical communication with the belt 14 such that the spool 46 rotates when the belt 14 moves. Additionally, the spool 46 is in mechanical communication with the braking mechanism 16 such that the spool 46 resists being rotated. A first gear 48 is coupled to the roller 28 on which the braking mechanism 16 is positioned, and the first gear 48 has a common rotational axis with respect to the roller 28 on which the braking mechanism 16 is positioned. An axle 50 extends through the spool 46 and the axle 50 has a distal end 52 with respect to the spool 46. A second gear 54 is disposed on the distal end 52 of the axle 50 and a chain 56 extends around the first gear 48 and the second gear 54. In this way the axle 50 is in mechanical communication with the braking mechanism 16 such that the braking mechanism 16 inhibits rotation of the spool 46.

A yoke 58 is disposed on the spool 46 and extends upwardly from the spool 46. A pulley 60 is rotatably disposed on the yoke 58 such that the pulley 60 is positioned above the spool 46. A rope 62 is wrapped around the spool 46 and the rope 62 resists being pulled on by the user when the user walks on the treadmill 12. In this way the rope 62 simulates pulling a heavy object with the rope 62. The rope 62 extends over the pulley 60 on the yoke 58 and the rope 62 has a distal end 64 with respect to the spool 46. A portion 66 of the rope 62 between the pulley 60 and the distal end 64 is exposed on the treadmill 12 thereby facilitating the portion 66 of the rope 62 to be gripped by the user. Additionally, as is most clearly shown in FIG. 3 , the rope 62 is routed between respective pairs of the horizontal bars 42 of the push bars 38.

A control panel 68 is coupled to the treadmill 12 such that the control panel 68 is accessible to the user. The control panel 68 is in electrical communication with the braking mechanism 16 for adjusting resistance of the braking mechanism 16. Additionally, the control panel 68 has a plurality of control buttons 70 being disposed thereon for controlling operational parameters of the braking mechanism 16, including but not being limited to, increasing resistance and decreasing resistance. A power cord 72 is coupled to and extends away from the treadmill 12 and the power cord 72 is electrically coupled to the control panel 68. The power cord 72 has a distal end 74 with respect to the treadmill 12 and a male plug 76 that is electrically coupled to the distal end 74 of the power cord 72. The male plug 76 can be plugged into a power source 78 comprising a female electrical outlet.

In use, the resistance level of the braking mechanism 16 is adjusted with the control panel 68 and the user walks on the belt 14. The user can grab the set of pull bars 30 and walk backwards on the belt 14. In this way the user can practice pulling a heavy object. Conversely, the user can grab the set of push bars 38 and walk forwardly on the belt 14. In this way the user can practice pushing a heavy object. Additionally, the user can pull the rope 62 while the user is walking on the belt 14, thereby facilitating the user to practice pulling a heavy object with a rope 62.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements. 

I claim:
 1. An exercise assembly for simulating pulling a heavy object, said assembly comprising: a treadmill having a belt being configured to be walked upon, said belt having a braking mechanism, said braking mechanism inhibiting said belt from being moved wherein said belt is configured to present resistance to a user attempting to walk on said belt; a set of pull bars, each of said pull bars being coupled to and extending upwardly from said treadmill wherein each of said pull bars is configured to be gripped by the user when the user is walking on said treadmill, each of said pull bars being positioned downstream of the direction of travel of said belt wherein said set of pull bars is configured to be pulled on by the user when the user is walking on said belt for simulating pulling a heavy object; a set of push bars, each of said push bars being coupled to and extending upwardly from said treadmill wherein each of said push bars is configured to be gripped by the user when the user is walking on said treadmill, each of said push bars being positioned upstream of the direction of travel of said belt wherein said set of push bars is configured to be pushed on by the user when the user is walking on said belt for simulating pushing a heavy object; a spool being rotatably integrated into said treadmill, said spool being in mechanical communication with said belt such that said spool rotates when said belt moves, said spool being in mechanical communication with said braking mechanism such that said spool resists being rotated; and a rope being wrapped around said spool wherein said rope is configured to resist being pulled on by the user when the user walks on said treadmill for simulating pulling a heavy object with the rope.
 2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said treadmill includes a bed, said bed having a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a front side and a back side, said treadmill including a pair of rollers, each of said rollers being rotatably integrated into said treadmill, each of said rollers extending between said first lateral side and said second lateral side, each of said rollers being positioned adjacent to a respective one of said front side and said back side, said belt extending around each of said rollers, said braking mechanism being positioned around a respective one of said rollers, said braking mechanism engaging said respective roller between a minimum level of friction and a maximum level of friction wherein said braking mechanism is configured to adjust the level of resistance for the user.
 3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein said set of pull bars is positioned adjacent to said back side of said bed, said set of pull bars including a pair of vertical bars each extending upwardly from a respective one of said first lateral side and said second lateral side of said bed, said set of pull bars including a plurality of horizontal bars each extending between said vertical bars wherein said horizontal bars are configured to be gripped by the user, said set of pull bars including a pair of spindles each extending between said horizontal bars wherein each of said spindles is configured to be gripped by the user.
 4. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein said set of push bars is positioned between said set of pull bars and said front end of said bed, said set of push bars including a pair of vertical bars each extending upwardly from a respective one of said first lateral side and said second lateral side of said bed, said set of push bars including a plurality of horizontal bars each extending between said vertical bars of said push bars wherein said horizontal bars of said push bars are configured to be gripped by the user, said set of push bars including a pair of spindles each extending between said horizontal bars of said push bars wherein each of said spindles of said push bars is configured to be gripped by the user.
 5. The assembly according to claim 2, further comprising: an axle extending through said spool, said axle having a distal end with respect to said spool; a first gear being coupled to said roller on which said braking mechanism is positioned, said first gear having a common rotational axis with respect to said roller on which said braking mechanism is positioned; a second gear being disposed on said distal end of said axle; and a chain extending around said first gear and said second gear such that axle is in mechanical communication with said braking mechanism such that said braking mechanism inhibits rotation of said spool.
 6. The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a yoke being disposed on said spool and extending upwardly from said spool; and a pulley being rotatably disposed on said yoke such that said pulley is positioned above said spool.
 7. The assembly according to claim 6, wherein said rope extends over said pulley on said yoke, said rope having a distal end with respect to said spool, a portion of said rope between said pulley and said distal end being exposed on said treadmill wherein said portion of said rope is configured to be gripped by the user, said rope being routed between respective pairs of horizontal members of said push bars.
 8. The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a control panel being coupled to said treadmill wherein said control panel is configured to be accessible to the user, said control panel being in electrical communication with said braking mechanism for adjusting resistance of said braking mechanism, said control panel having a plurality of control buttons being disposed thereon for controlling operational parameters of said braking mechanism, including increasing resistance and decreasing resistance; and a power cord being coupled to and extending away from said treadmill, said power cord being electrically coupled to said control panel, said power cord having a distal end with respect to said treadmill, said distal end having a male plug being electrically coupled to said distal end wherein said male plug is configured to be plugged into a power source comprising a female electrical outlet.
 9. An exercise assembly for simulating pulling a heavy object, said assembly comprising: a treadmill having a belt being configured to be walked upon, said belt having a braking mechanism, said braking mechanism inhibiting said belt from being moved wherein said belt is configured to present resistance to a user attempting to walk on said belt, said treadmill including a bed, said bed having a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a front side and a back side, said treadmill including a pair of rollers, each of said rollers being rotatably integrated into said treadmill, each of said rollers extending between said first lateral side and said second lateral side, each of said rollers being positioned adjacent to a respective one of said front side and said back side, said belt extending around each of said rollers, said braking mechanism being positioned around a respective one of said rollers, said braking mechanism engaging said respective roller between a minimum level of friction and a maximum level of friction wherein said braking mechanism is configured to adjust the level of resistance for the user; a first gear being coupled to said roller on which said braking mechanism is positioned, said first gear having a common rotational axis with respect to said roller on which said braking mechanism is positioned; a set of pull bars, each of said pull bars being coupled to and extending upwardly from said treadmill wherein each of said pull bars is configured to be gripped by the user when the user is walking on said treadmill, each of said pull bars being positioned downstream of the direction of travel of said belt wherein said set of pull bars is configured to be pulled on by the user when the user is walking on said belt for simulating pulling a heavy object, said set of pull bars being positioned adjacent to said back side of said bed, said set of pull bars including a pair of vertical bars each extending upwardly from a respective one of said first lateral side and said second lateral side of said bed, said set of pull bars including a plurality of horizontal bars each extending between said vertical bars wherein said horizontal bars are configured to be gripped by the user, said set of pull bars including a pair of spindles each extending between said horizontal bars wherein each of said spindles is configured to be gripped by the user; a set of push bars, each of said push bars being coupled to and extending upwardly from said treadmill wherein each of said push bars is configured to be gripped by the user when the user is walking on said treadmill, each of said push bars being positioned upstream of the direction of travel of said belt wherein said set of push bars is configured to be pushed on by the user when the user is walking on said belt for simulating pushing a heavy object, said set of push bars being positioned between said set of pull bars and said front end of said bed, said set of push bars including a pair of vertical bars each extending upwardly from a respective one of said first lateral side and said second lateral side of said bed, said set of push bars including a plurality of horizontal bars each extending between said vertical bars of said push bars wherein said horizontal bars of said push bars are configured to be gripped by the user, said set of push bars including a pair of spindles each extending between said horizontal bars of said push bars wherein each of said spindles of said push bars is configured to be gripped by the user; a spool being rotatably integrated into said treadmill, said spool being in mechanical communication with said belt such that said spool rotates when said belt moves, said spool being in mechanical communication with said braking mechanism such that said spool resists being rotated; an axle extending through said spool, said axle having a distal end with respect to said spool; a second gear being disposed on said distal end of said axle; a chain extending around said first gear and said second gear such that axle is in mechanical communication with said braking mechanism such that said braking mechanism inhibits rotation of said spool; a yoke being disposed on said spool and extending upwardly from said spool; a pulley being rotatably disposed on said yoke such that said pulley is positioned above said spool; a rope being wrapped around said spool wherein said rope is configured to resist being pulled on by the user when the user walks on said treadmill for simulating pulling a heavy object with the rope, said rope extending over said pulley on said yoke, said rope having a distal end with respect to said spool, a portion of said rope between said pulley and said distal end being exposed on said treadmill wherein said portion of said rope is configured to be gripped by the user, said rope being routed between respective pairs of said horizontal members of said push bars; a control panel being coupled to said treadmill wherein said control panel is configured to be accessible to the user, said control panel being in electrical communication with said braking mechanism for adjusting resistance of said braking mechanism, said control panel having a plurality of control buttons being disposed thereon for controlling operational parameters of said braking mechanism, including increasing resistance and decreasing resistance; and a power cord being coupled to and extending away from said treadmill, said power cord being electrically coupled to said control panel, said power cord having a distal end with respect to said treadmill, said distal end having a male plug being electrically coupled to said distal end wherein said male plug is configured to be plugged into a power source comprising a female electrical outlet. 